Manningham was drafted by Big Blue in 2008 and played in Gotham for four seasons before spending two injury-riddled years in San Francisco. Both campaigns with the 49ers were washed away by season-ending knee injuries, but New York's doctors cleared the 27-year-old receiver before offering him a contract.

"Once a Giant, always a Giant," Manningham said. "That's how I feel. This is a very special place. I wanted to come back."

Manningham hasn't caught more than 42 passes in a season since 2010, but he's a proven complementary target if healthy. His experience in New York's offense would have been another plus, but the Giants are starting over with a quick-release passing scheme under new coordinator Ben McAdoo.

What will help Manningham is his familiarity with quarterback Eli Manning. If they can pick up where they left off, chalk this up as a safe and inexpensive move by New York's suddenly active front office.